PREFACE
PREFACE
THIS BOOK DEVELOPED out of a dissertation I presented to Trinity College Dublin for the Senior Sophister. I was encouraged to expand it and seek publication. However, the reality of ordained ministry in a local church with its innumerable demands upon one’s time has meant frequent delays in this writing project. Yet, I have also enjoyed some time off pastoral ministry, and so I wish to thank the officers of the congregation where I presently serve, All Saints’ Church in Belfast, for kindly releasing me from duty during the final stages of the book.
Among those who have helped shape and sharpen my thinking, I am very grateful to those who agreed to be interviewed. In particular, I wish to thank Jerram Barrs, Andrew Fellows, Jim Ingram, Ranald Macaulay, Gavin McGrath, John and Prisci Sandri, Barry Seagren, and John Stott. Jock McGregor and William Barker kindly read earlier drafts and made very helpful comments. I am also indebted to William Edgar, who took time to read a draft of the entire manuscript and graciously pointed out some mistakes in my interpretation of Cornelius Van Til. I trust the final book has benefited from all these helpful contributions. However, where there are any remaining errors of fact, judgment, or interpretation, the blame lies totally with me.
This is my first book with Crossway, and I want to say what a delight it has been to work with them. My sincere thanks to Marvin Padgett, former Vice President of Editorial, who invited me to publish with Crossway; to Ted Griffin and Jill Carter who have gently (but very professionally) guided me through to production; and to those who have worked so hard to design and market the book. I deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone at Crossway.
Above all, it is to my dear wife Eleanor that I owe the greatest thanks. Quite honestly, without her encouragement I doubt I would have found the motivation to resume writing; and without her willingness to sacrifice family time and accept a greater share of the household burdens, I know I would never have had the time to write. In recognition of this and given Eleanor’s constant love, kindness, and support to me, it is a joy and a delight to dedicate this book to her.
Although I never met Francis Schaeffer, he has had a profound influence on me. It was through his film series Whatever Happened to the Human Race? that I was challenged and drawn back to Christ during a university mission. Thus I have retained a personal interest in his apologetics ever since. Then several years into my career (when I had a secular job), I realized that the reality of my faith in Christ was not as it once was. Reading Schaeffer on spirituality and then visiting L’Abri brought new and ongoing blessings. When Schaeffer is considered in the totality of his writings and ministry and we consider his stress on both rationality and spirituality, I believe he has still much to offer in the twenty-first century. It is with this conviction that I offer this book, in prayerful trust that the Lord may use it in some small way to help draw people closer unto Himself.
Bryan A. Follis